PETA is not thrilled with Nicole Richie and Joel Madden who brought in a massive elephant to their wedding reception over the weekend ... to be used for photographic purposes. Guests were able to get their photo taken with the pachyderm!

The People For Ethical Treatment of Animals sent the following statement to X17online:

"We know that Nicole is sympathetic to the plight of animals in the circus and is opposed to the way in which baby elephants are slammed to the ground and gouged with steel-tipped bullhooks in order to train them for circuses such as Ringling Bros.

We're sure she didn't know that Have Trunk Will Travelâ€”the company that likely provided Tai the elephant, who was taken from the wild as a baby more than 40 years agoâ€”trains its elephants with bullhooks and electric shock prods. We're writing to her privately to respectfully ask her to keep exotic animals off her guest lists for future celebrations."

Don't mess with PETA, Nicole. Wonder if photos of the couple, as well as guests Khloe Kardashian and Rachel Zoe sitting on top of the creature, will surface anytime soon? Now THAT would be a wedding photo the newlyweds would have no problem selling.